‘An unsuccessful drummer/percussionist’ as Mike puts it, he realised very early on there was more chance of him playing records rather than making them for a living so off he went to Mallorca to DJ. It’s from this era that Mike’s love of jazz, funk and soul really developed. The lure of playing records in the sunshine at 18 and all the trappings that went with it seemed like a great idea, so with a bag full of Roy Ayers, Lonnie 'Liston' Smith and Maze, off he went to find out about life.
Mike has been working full-time in radio since 1989 as the Programme Controller at Jazz FM as well as the presenter of Funky Sensation. So, if you love The Meters, Rick James or Funkadelic, the sultry soul of Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass and Keni Burke, or quality jazz/funk from Ronnie Laws, Incognito and George Duke, it has to be Jazz FM’s Funky Sensation every Saturday night from 6.
Mike still DJs too and can be seen playing around the country most weekends.
Looking for Funky Sensation playlists? Visit the programme page.
Interview With Mike Vitti
1. What’s your favourite Jazz FM programme and why?
That’s a hard one for me as we have so many great programmes on Jazz FM – but if you really push me, I would lean towards Robbie Vincent.
2. What’s the first record you bought and where did you buy it?
The first 7” single I ever bought was ‘Dance Disco Heat’ by Sylvester on the Fantasy record label. I bought it in a tiny little record shop in Alsager, Cheshire in 1978.
3. What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod/in your collection?
Hilarious! I can tell you what it was up until I wrote this. Neil Sedaka ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’. Not sure how it got on there, I can tell you it’s not there now though.
4. In your opinion, what’s the greatest album of all time and why?
That’s easy for me... Frankie Beverley and Maze ‘Live in New Orleans’ from 1978. There are so many great memories attached to this album for me. I couldn't isolate one in particular; just take my word for it. This album shaped my life.
5. What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s a hard one – I think I have two. Earth, Wind & Fire playing the LA County Fair at the Pomona Raceway, Los Angeles and the first time I saw Maze. It was at the Manchester Apollo, November 1989, around the same time the Berlin Wall came down. I’m pretty certain it was the same night. A momentous week on so many levels.
6. What’s your favourite live music venue and why?
I love the Hammersmith Odeon (as was) and Manchester Apollo. Both are similar venues, great history, so many great shows (to many to mention), great acoustics, sticky carpet and beer in a plastic glass! Just great! I also love Brixton Academy but I’ve only ever seen one show there, Soul II Soul, in the early 1990s. It was pretty cool from what I remember. You can see I go for theatres, can’t you?
7. Jazz Is...
‘Whatever you want it to be’, as Tom Jones said on Jazz FM. I say - close your eyes, open you mind and enjoy the spontaneity of it all. One thing I would like to add is that I believe Jazz, in all its forms, is completely open to interpretation and that’s kind of the point to this great genre of music. It’s not a pure genre and that’s the one thing it has in its favour. It has the ability to grow and develop organically. No-one style should ever be deemed better than another. It’s just Jazz, baby!
8. In your opinion, who is the most inspirational radio presenter of all time and why?
I was always a big fan of the late Roger Scott. He could say in five words what it would take the rest of us whole sentences to convey. A true communicator who really understood his audience and the business.
9. What’s been your most embarrassing moment in radio?
I pulled a plug out of a wall in a studio once and took a radio station off the air! Not my fault though. Who allows something as important as a radio station to simply have a plug in the wall powering it all?
10. What’s your favourite film and why?
Hard one, that, but I think I’ll go for two. The first is 'Nightshift' with Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton. It’s about two New York mortuary attendants running an escort agency out of a morgue. It’s very funny. I also love the 1979 movie 'The Warriors' too, particularly the gang The Baseball Furies.
11. Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
I think probably lots of people who really aren’t fond of each other. Then I would light the blue touch paper and sit back and enjoy the show How’s that for a get-out?
What is that excellent mix of Rose Royce’s ‘Still in love’? Brilliant.
Love the show,
Richard
Hi Richard,
It’s by AC Soul Symphony and produced by Joey Negro
Mike
Good day, Mike (and Jazz FM)! I’m listening to your ‘funky sensations’ (via AOD) from stateside. Thank you for playing such old school funk/soul from back in the day, you’re jamming cuts that the American DJs have either forgotten or have seldom played. DON’T STOP, MAN!
T.M.
Missouri, USA
Hi Mike,
Really enjoyed what I caught of the show today! The James Brown cover you played, is it from JB’s Soul on Top album with Louie Bellson Orchestra?
Thanks For ‘New Jersey Connection’ Mike – Great to hear it on the radio!
Regards
Steve
Tuning in, this is hot stuff.
lovin the tunes. good show and more please!
love it man keep going
HellO Mike,
As usual you MIKE and your fine staff do an OUTSTANDING job with your knowledge and presentation of music. I wish we had the same format of music broadcasted here in California. I faithfully listen to JAZZFM on a full time basis. It’s true what Teena Marie stated about the poor quality of music that saturates the U.S. radio station’s. (Blame CLEARCHANNEL.) Well I just wanted to say you guys at JAZZFM are trully appreciated. Thank you so much for providing an OUTSTANDING outlet to hear great music.
BTW. Who was the artist that covered Norman Connors “You are my Starship”
Sincereley,
Hello Mike I’m loving the Philadelphia tunege your playing its a nicey magical vibe!. From the Funky Drummer Kevin Milton Keynes.
Great to hear Grover Washington Jr once more.
Hi Mike, My Partner Elainie and I live in the Soul Wilderness of Hampshire! We really need some serious Funk and Soul down here. We regularly visit the smoke for a Soul “fix” Ronnies upstairs and another Gig at Addlestone in Surrey with Les Adams from Solar, but it costs megabucks to get up there!!! I can arrange a Soul Funk Night at a Holiday Inn Down here at Fareham and sell the tickets if you can provide the sounds
I have listened to you for years and Robbie since 19 frozen to death!!
Got to get the Soul Fans motivated down here, can you help?
Kindest Regards, keep the Soul.
Rory O’Neill
We’ll try Rory – Thanks for the note, nice to hear from you
Wow! What great stuff! Please indulge any time. My 7 year old just said to his friend having a sleepover that “mummy always dances on Saturday when she listens to jazz fm!” thank you. All of you for making me dance once a week. X
I love this,,,,,